Are Intel wireless cards adequate?

[Texiton]

I just ordered a computer with the Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230 wireless card.
I passed up the option to switch to a Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video wireless card instead spending the money getting a 64GB SSD and 750GB 7200 RPM HDD instead of a 32GB SSD and 1TB 5400 RPM HDD.
Did I make the right choice, or should I have gone with the Killer wireless card?
My internet only goes up to 5MB/s tops.
(I enjoy online gaming)
Thanks for any answers!

 

[aicom]

Passing on the NIC was definitely the best option. The SSD and 7200 RPM drive will give a much better experience.

The Killer NIC is a 3x3 dual-band WLAN card, while the 2230 is a 2x2 single-band WLAN chip. You likely won't notice a difference. If you find your WLAN performance is lacking, you can buy a Centrino Advanced-N 6235 which adds dual-band capability or a Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 for 3x3 dual-band (although make sure you have the 3rd antenna before buying). I personally use a 6235 in my daily driver laptop. I have nothing but good things to say about the wireless card and drivers. Range and performance are excellent. It's easily the best 2x2 dual-band 802.11n NIC on the market today and it includes Bluetooth 4.0. I replaced a 2230 with the 6235. That's not to say the 2230 was bad at all though, I just needed the dual-band capabilities. I primarily use that laptop on a university campus where the 2.4 GHz band is overcrowded. In a residential environment, the 2230 was a solid card.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the 2230 also includes Bluetooth 4.0 while the 6300 does not.

 

[Texiton]

Best answer selected by Texiton.

 

[Texiton]

Passing on the NIC was definitely the best option. The SSD and 7200 RPM drive will give a much better experience.

The Killer NIC is a 3x3 dual-band WLAN card, while the 2230 is a 2x2 single-band WLAN chip. You likely won't notice a difference. If you find your WLAN performance is lacking, you can buy a Centrino Advanced-N 6235 which adds dual-band capability or a Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 for 3x3 dual-band (although make sure you have the 3rd antenna before buying). I personally use a 6235 in my daily driver laptop. I have nothing but good things to say about the wireless card and drivers. Range and performance are excellent. It's easily the best 2x2 dual-band 802.11n NIC on the market today and it includes Bluetooth 4.0. I replaced a 2230 with the 6235. That's not to say the 2230 was bad at all though, I just needed the dual-band capabilities. I primarily use that laptop on a university campus where the 2.4 GHz band is overcrowded. In a residential environment, the 2230 was a solid card.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the 2230 also includes Bluetooth 4.0 while the 6300 does not.

Thanks for your answer!
I don't know much about wireless cards, but your answer was clear and informative.
I was just wondering if there was any major speed/latency differences.